While there might be an obvious “best” network for a given neighborhood, frequent travelers have a harder choice to make... our location changes, often!

There simply is no single network that works best everywhere.

All of the big four nationwide carriers have their strengths and weaknesses in various locations across the country. And each offers different plans & policies that make them more or less suitable as a mobile internet solution depending on your needs.

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As a frequent traveler, you need to consider what carrier - or more than likely, combination of carriers - will give you coverage and data in the places you want to visit.

This article is an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the four major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint) in the US as they relate to mobile internet for RVers, cruisers and frequent travelers seeking an on-the-go home internet replacement.

Video Overview

We created a 22 minute video that overviews the four carriers - be sure to check below for the latest on plan details.

Coverage

All four have embraced the same underlying fourth-generation (4G) cellular network technology, known as LTE. But they all have very different legacy 2G and 3G networks, coverage maps, compatible devices, supported frequency bands, and expansion plans going forward towards 5G.

The major difference for each of the carriers is how widespread their coverage is nationwide. And for those relying on mobile internet, 4G & LTE coverage are the most important for the fastest speeds.

In the US, the four major nationwide carriers are:

Verizon - has the most nationwide coverage, but their most attractive plans can be more difficult to get.

AT&T - close second to Verizon, and currently has the most accessible and usable unlimited plan.

T-Mobile - the carrier to watch with a rapidly expanding network and usable unlimited data plans.

Sprint - coverage generally only useful when close to bigger cities and along interstates, but has attractive plan options.

Below is a quick comparison of the four carrier's 4G coverage maps:

Screenshots above taken from the January 2018 map update to our app Coverage?
- showing just non-roaming 4G and better coverage for each carrier.

Although we can go to each carrier’s maps online to scout out ahead if our next location will have coverage for our carriers, we decided to make it even easier. We wrote an app for that!

Coverage? (available for iOS and Android) overlays our versions of the four major carriers maps, so you can create a personalized coverage map for the carriers you travel with, and plan your travels around connectivity!

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Cellular Carrier Profiles

Verizon - Carrier Profile

Verizon is the largest cellular carrier in the USA. It has the widest overall coverage area, the most deployed LTE, and typically good overall performance.

For these reasons, if you’re only going to choose one network – Verizon seems like the natural top choice.

But Verizon plans tend to be pricey and have limitations that keep them from being attractive as a primary mobile internet source.

And because Verizon’s network is known to have the widest coverage and is the most popular network amongst nomads, it’s actually not uncommon to pull into some popular areas to find the local Verizon tower overloaded and sluggish during peak times.

Device Tip:

For maximum compatibility – make sure that your Verizon devices support LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, and 13 – and that they have support for Verizon’s legacy CDMA 3G network too.

Verizon’s next cellular expansion will be on to LTE Band 66, so keep an eye out for support for this band too.

If you have older devices - keep an upgrade in mind, particular if you notice friends and neighbors getting better Verizon performance.

Verizon's Device Lock/Unlock Policy: For years, Verizon's device unlocking policy was top of the pack in terms of consumer friendliness - all devices were sold unlocked and could immediately be used with other carriers if necessary. But in early 2018, Verizon decided to violate the restrictions that forced them into these consumer friendly unlocking policies, which were required as part of a spectrum auction deal in 2018. And it is probable that the FCC, who would need to enforce these regulations will look the other way. Therefore, be ready to get educated on new unlocking policies beginning in Spring of 2018. More info: Verizon To Begin Locking Phones

AT&T is calling its most advanced LTE technologies “5G Evolution”, so for the best possible future compatibility and performance keep an eye out for devices AT&T labels as compatible.

AT&T’s legacy “4G” HSPA+ network has great performance and speeds nationwide, and occasionally can even outperform AT&T LTE. If your device supports it, turning off LTE to try 4G can sometimes prove a worthwhile experiment.

Device Lock/Unlock Policy: AT&T requires devices to be fully paid off, and service active on a line for at least 60 days before it will process an unlock request. In our past experience, getting devices unlocked on AT&T often requires hours on the phone and occasionally results in failure and frustration when AT&T determines it is just not able to process a requested unlock.

T-Mobile - Carrier Profile

T-Mobile has been the carrier to watch – blowing past Sprint to take a solid third place in the market, and T-Mobile is gunning for Verizon and AT&T next.

T-Mobile’s biggest achilles heel has been its lack of raw coverage, particularly in rural areas and indoors. When T-Mobile does have coverage, its network speeds are consistently some of the fastest.

T-Mobile is however moving aggressively to fill in its coverage gaps. In 2017 T-Mobile acquired a huge chunk of new 600MHz cellular spectrum, and in the years ahead will be deploying enhanced LTE service nationwide to fill in coverage holes.

But to benefit, you will need a compatible device capable of taking advantage of this new band!

Device Tips:

For maximum compatibility – make sure that your T-Mobile devices support LTE Bands 2, 4, and 12 – and support for the new LTE Band 71 will be required to take advantage of the 600MHz expansion.

As of the end of 2017, LTE Band 71 support is nearly non-existent in cellular devices - but more options should be available in the future. T-Mobile customers should consider putting off price device upgrades until Band 71 compatible options are available.

Device Lock/Unlock Policy: T-Mobile requires that the device must be fully paid off, and active for at least 40 days. T-Mobile also restricts customers to just two unlock requests per line per year.

Sprint - Carrier Profile

The fourth largest national cellular carrier has always been a technological oddball - and Sprint’s LTE network uses bands that none of the other carriers have embraced.

Sprint’s biggest advantage is that it tends to have affordable plan options, especially the promotional plans offered to lure new customers or the special deals available only through third-party resellers.

But the biggest downside of Sprint for nomads is its extremely limited nationwide coverage map.

The vast bulk of Sprint’s usable fast data coverage is pretty much only found in core urban areas and along major interstates. Often outside of that, you’re roaming with very slow speeds – if you can get online at all.

If you’re planning to stick to urban areas, Sprint might be worthwhile. But for most nomads, it is at best a backup option.

Some Sprint devices support a technology called “HPUE” which allows for extended range cellular connections on Sprint’s fastest band, LTE Band 41. HPUE support is still rare, but is worth seeking out to get the most out of Sprint’s network.

Device Lock/Unlock Policy: Sprint requires devices to be fully paid off and active for 50 days, but once they are eligible Sprint automatically unlocks them.

Regional Carriers

In addition to the big four national carriers, there are a number of smaller regional and even local carriers that own and operate their own networks.

Some of the larger examples of this sort include U.S. Cellular, C-Spire Wireless, nTelos, Cellcom, and Cellular One.

These smaller regional carriers are usually poor choices for travelers, unless you know that you are primarily going to be spending time in areas where they have a strong native presence.

Even if the regional carrier has nationwide coverage through roaming agreements, if you’re utilizing the service primarily outside its home region, you can find yourself running into all sorts of restrictions and limitations, all the way up to having your service summarily terminated!

Getting Service

You can purchase service directly from each of the carriers as post paid or prepaid service. Or, there are many resellers & MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) who offer plans on the major carriers with different features, pricing or restrictions.

Note: Verizon'snew unlimited data plans only include 15GB of high speed mobile hotspot use per line (including Jetpacks).

AT&T - Wireless Home Phone & Internet plans on the Wireless Internet device are available for $60/month for 50GB or $100/month for 100GB. Those in rural markets may be able to get $60 for 250GB or $100 for 500GB - but we believe these to have retired.

Sprint - Joining a non-profit (such as Calyx Institute or PCs for People) to obtain an unlimited Sprint plan due to some prior agreement the carrier inherited is the most affordable option out there. Pricing ranges from $10-33/month. For more information: Non-Profit Sprint Plans.

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